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1 Peter 5:5
5 Likewise [homoios], ye younger [neos], submit yourselves [hupotasso] unto the elder [presbuteros]. Yea [de], all [pas] of you be subject [hupotasso] one to another [allelon], and be clothed [egkomboomai] with humility [tapeinophrosune]: for [hoti] God [theos] resisteth [antitassomai] the proud [huperephanos], and [de] giveth [didomi] grace [charis] to the humble [tapeinos]. KJV-Interlinear
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. NASB
The proud and the humble are terms referring to the relative spiritual growth of immature believers as opposed to mature believers.
Likewise, the terms elders and younger also refer to those who are more advanced in wisdom as opposed to those who have relatively little spiritual growth under their belt.
The key to this whole verse is Gods policy toward believers in general, toward spiritually deficient believers specifically, and also toward mature believers.
Physical age has no bearing on Gods policy. Bible doctrine is the key as to what kind of relationship you will or will not have with God.
Therefore, if you are a relatively young believer, or better stated, if your spiritual life is relatively new or young, and it will be if you have just believed in Christ (whether you are nine or ninety is irrelevant), then prepare to subordinate yourself in respect, in humility, and so forth, toward those who have greater wisdom than you.
If in doubt, being quiet and polite is the better attitude to adopt. Time and doctrine will educate you as to whether your elders, are indeed wise in doctrine, or just older folks who can fool you.
You learn doctrine by clothing yourself in humility. Humility is a reference to your spiritual life. Therefore, put on the clothing of wisdom, and not arrogance. You put on these clothes by means of your spiritual growth. In other words, grow up.
Park your attitude and former beliefs at the door, and not only that, leave them outside of your life permanently. Listen and do not voice your opinions. No one wants to hear from an immature person anyway. The unwise cannot have anything to say, to the wise. The unwise has nothing to teach the wise.
All students of the Word of God, come before God without portfolio.
This verse is a general command to help you put your beliefs in perspective, to help you listen rather than speaking, to help you learn and grow up.
And when you grow up spiritually and become wise, then you will realize that you will not need to voice your opinions. That God voices His Word quite well, without your help. And you will just smile to yourself when other younger believers try to impose their opinions, which you can simply ignore, and know that you too once had those same dumb ideas. Oh, well. We’ve all been there, done that.
